Infant missing since grandmother’s killing is dead

October 26, 2012News Extra

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — Authorities today recovered the body of a 10-month-old girl not far from where her grandmother was slain and arrested a family friend who investigators said killed them in a botched ransom kidnapping.

Saanvi Venna’s body was found about 4:30 a.m. in a suitcase in the basement of a building in the same Upper Merion Township apartment complex where she lived. Investigators had been searching for her since Monday.

The family friend killed 61-year-old Satyavathi Venna while trying to abduct the girl, who he planned to ransom for $50,000, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said.

“The grandmother died trying to save her granddaughter’s life, trying to prevent her from being taken,” Ferman said.

The suspect’s name wasn’t immediately released.

An autopsy was being conducted on the girl.

The suspect had participated in a candlelight vigil held for the missing girl and distributed fliers, Ferman said.